Chapter 39: The Inuzuka Clan! Loyalty!

The next day, Uchiha Douhuan handled some affairs at the Military Police Force. Seeing that the time agreed upon in the invitation was approaching, he gathered some gifts and set off toward the compound of the Inuzuka clan.

Within the Inuzuka clan's grounds, preparations were already well underway. It had to be said that the cohesion of the Inuzuka clan remained remarkably strong. Once the clan's upper echelon made the decision last night to go all-in with the Uchiha clan, the entire family had sprung into action early in the morning to prepare for Uchiha Douhuan's arrival.

At the entrance of the Inuzuka clan's compound, the path had been paved with fresh yellow soil, and the street had been thoroughly washed down with clean water.

By the time Uchiha Douhuan arrived, three Jounin of the Inuzuka clan—including the clan head—along with their Great Elder, were all waiting right outside the main gates.

This grand spectacle almost gave Uchiha Douhuan a strong sense of deja vu reminiscent of leaders inspecting factories in his past life; the only thing missing was a couple of celebratory banners hung across the Inuzuka gates.

Seeing this, Uchiha Douhuan could fully gauge the attitude of the Inuzuka clan. It seemed they had had enough of sitting on the fringes among the village's minor clans and were now eager to move up in the world.

Upon seeing Uchiha Douhuan arrive, Inuzuka Ago immediately led the other three to greet him.

Seeing this, Uchiha Douhuan smiled and said, "I apologize for coming uninvited. I'm afraid I've put you all to a lot of trouble."

"What is the clan head saying? Your visit brings great honor to our Inuzuka clan," Inuzuka Ago replied with a smile.

Uchiha Douhuan shook hands with them one by one. When it came to Inuzuka Kaze, the man shook Uchiha Douhuan's hand while laughing heartily, "During our previous mission, I was truly indebted to the hospitality of Clan Head Douhuan. Now that you've come to our Inuzuka clan, you simply must give me a chance to return the favor."

"Please, Clan Head Douhuan, right this way."

The group escorted Uchiha Douhuan into the clan's reception hall. Moments after they sat down, a maid served them tea.

Seated in the primary seat, Inuzuka Ago asked, "May I ask what brings Clan Head Douhuan to our clan today?"

"It is like this," Uchiha Douhuan began. "Recently, the Military Police Force recruited a batch of new members. Their abilities are passable, and they train very hard in their daily routines. However, they ultimately lack the Sharingan of our clan. When it comes to pursuing criminals and searching for contraband, they still fall somewhat short. Coupled with the fact that during our last mission, Brother Kaze mentioned your esteemed clan's intention to sell a batch of ninja hounds to the Military Police Force, the Police Force is planning to order a batch of fully trained ninja hounds from you."

"The Military Police Force is a vital force for maintaining peace and security within the village, and our Inuzuka clan is also a part of the village. Since the Military Police Force has this need, the Inuzuka clan will naturally do our utmost to assist. There is no need to speak of placing an 'order,'" Inuzuka Ago waved his hand and said. "Tomorrow, our Inuzuka clan will select a batch of outstanding adult ninja hounds from within the clan and personally deliver them to the Military Police Force."

"If that is the case, then that couldn't be better," Uchiha Douhuan said with a smile. "Please rest assured, Clan Head Inuzuka. Once these ninja hounds join the Military Police Force, they will be given the official establishment of police dogs within the department. The Police Force will provide a monthly allowance of thirty thousand ryo per dog, distributed in the form of food. At the same time, the Police Force guarantees that every single coin of the food budget for every police dog will actually end up in the dogs' mouths."

"Thirty thousand ryo?" Inuzuka Retsu, standing nearby, was momentarily stunned. One had to know that when their Inuzuka family raised ninja hounds, only those special dogs that formed one-on-one psychic contracts with clan members from childhood, learned the secret techniques of the Inuzuka clan, and were truly treated as heritage dogs received this kind of treatment. Now, the Uchiha clan was offering this same level of treatment to ordinary ninja hounds. To be honest, a pure food budget of thirty thousand ryo per month was enough to make some of the Chujun and Special Jounin in the clan willing to volunteer as police dogs themselves.

"It seems Clan Head Douhuan is truly a dog lover," Inuzuka Kotsu said with a smile. "I was originally worried that our clan's ninja hounds wouldn't receive proper care once they arrived at the Military Police Force, but it seems I was worrying over nothing."

"However, are there people in the Military Police Force capable of properly caring for these ninja hounds?" Inuzuka Kaze chimed in at this point. "Clan Head Douhuan, taking care of ninja hounds is not as easy as looking after the pet dogs kept by those nobles."

"That is true. As for most of my clansmen, asking them to take care of cats might be manageable, but looking after dogs—especially elite ninja hounds among dogs—is probably beyond their capabilities," Uchiha Douhuan said, looking toward Inuzuka Ago. "I wonder if Clan Head Inuzuka would be willing to help us all the way through?"

"What does Clan Head Douhuan mean by that?" Inuzuka Ago asked, pretending to be puzzled.

Although the plan had been long finalized, and the clan had already decided on the candidates to be sent to work at the Military Police Force, Inuzuka Ago still feigned ignorance. He was waiting for Uchiha Douhuan to make the explicit request; after all, there was a significant difference between being personally invited by the other party and eagerly offering oneself up.

Uchiha Douhuan understood the other's intent. The Inuzuka clan had already shown absolute sincerity in their welcoming etiquette. The commotion of laying fresh yellow soil and washing the streets with clean water upon entering must have already reached Sarutobi Hiruzen and those two old geezers by now. Since the Inuzuka clan had put on such a posture, Uchiha Douhuan didn't mind giving them this face. After all, the Inuzuka clan was the first ninja clan willing to stand on their side. Even if this were merely a horse's bones bought at a high price, Uchiha Douhuan was willing to spend the thousand gold pieces, not to mention that what they were providing were precisely the technical personnel the Military Police Force urgently needed at this stage.

"It is like this: the Military Police Force intends to hire a few professional dog trainers, veterinarians, and ninja hound handlers from your esteemed clan. After all, professional matters must be left to professionals, and looking across the entire ninja world, I cannot think of anyone more proficient in this area than the Inuzuka clan," Uchiha Douhuan said with a smile.

"As for compensation, dog trainers and veterinarians belong to technical personnel, and the Military Police Force is willing to offer them a monthly salary of 180,000 ryo, equivalent to the level of a Military Police Force squad leader. As for the ninja hound handlers, they will be incorporated into the combat sequence according to their strength. Based on the current salary standards of the Military Police Force, a Chujun receives 180,000 ryo per month, and a Special Jounin receives 300,000 ryo per month."

Before Inuzuka Ago could reply, Inuzuka Kaze stepped forward eagerly.

"Clan Head Douhuan, what about Jounin?"

The rates offered by Uchiha Douhuan were enough to tempt even him; after all, as a Jounin, he usually couldn't even earn 300,000 ryo in most months.

"Kaze! What are you intruding for?" Inuzuka Ago scolded.

"Heh, Brother Kaze still has such a straightforward temperament," Uchiha Douhuan laughed unconcernedly. "As for Jounin, the base salary is 400,000 ryo. Counting mission subsidies and the like, taking home 600,000 ryo a month is not a problem at all. I certainly trust Brother Kaze's strength."

"Cough, cough, cough." Inuzuka Kotsu suddenly coughed and said, "Clan Head Douhuan, let's get down to business. The Inuzuka clan is willing to cooperate with the Military Police Force. This afternoon, we can send the ninja hounds requested by the Police Force over. At the same time, the clansmen going to work at the Police Force will also report for duty tomorrow."

"There's no particular rush for that," Uchiha Douhuan said. "Since the Inuzuka clan is willing to contribute to Konoha's security environment, our Police Force naturally must show some appreciation. As for what that appreciation is, you will find out tomorrow when your esteemed clan delivers the ninja hounds to the Police Force."

"Then in the days to come, I must ask Clan Head Uchiha to take good care of the Inuzuka clan," Inuzuka Ago said.

"Eh? What are you saying? It's all for Konoha, and for the Will of Fire!" Uchiha Douhuan waved his hand and laughed heartily.